Sharing the love for simple home baking
Welcome to Rise and Shine
My name is Agnieszka and I offer bespoke baking classes for all levels, from the complete beginner to those looking for more baking inspiration.
I love to bake, and I love to share that passion with others. It all started for me back in 2002 soon after I opened my own playgroup in North West London and was encouraged by one mum to start baking classes. The classes were hugely popular with both children and parents and over time I have developed a repertoire of simple, delicious recipes.
I now run classes in the community and focus on the wellbeing benefits of baking and the shared process of baking together. If you would like to join a class, please get in touch hello@riseandshinebaking.co.uk
Wellbeing
To me, baking has always been about bringing people together, be it family, friends or someone you just met at one of my classes. I noticed early on in my career that both adults and children would leave my classes smiling, feeling lighter and happier. It is a pleasure to watch my bakers, regardless of their age, being completely in the moment.
Baking and cooking have helped me through difficult times in my life, giving me an outlet for stress and worry and the time and space to think and contemplate. The therapeutic value of baking has been well researched in recent years and it is now well accepted that focusing on such a task can help alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. In other words, baking is really all about wellbeing.
About me
I have been cooking and baking since I was a little girl. Family life revolved around the kitchen and I have been interested in how my food was made ever since I can remember. I grew up in the mid-seventies and eighties when Poland was still under the communist regime, so when it came to food shopping we were nowhere near as spoilt for choice as we are now.
When food rationing was reintroduced in 1981, my parents had to be incredibly resourceful to find ingredients for a nutritious family meal. Only now do I fully appreciate how blessed I was to live my childhood oblivious to processed meals, fast food or sweets full of additives and preservatives.
I have my mum to thank for fostering my love of cooking and baking from a young age. Her patience and understanding of how important it was for me to be involved in something that I enjoyed so much are two of the most precious gifts she gave me. Those gifts paid off years later when I moved to the UK and decided to give teaching baking a go.
I am DBS-checked and have a Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2 certificate. I also completed Mental Health First Aid course and can provide public liability insurance certificate on request.
What we bake
I teach sweet and savoury recipes which I have tried, tested and simplified over the past 17 years. They are all very easy to follow and can be repeated in your own kitchen using widely available, affordable ingredients. I am very keen on using local, seasonal produce when possible. Supporting local businesses as well as caring about the environment have always been close to my heart and are becoming increasingly important to us all.
No sophisticated, expensive baking equipment is necessary; a mixing bowl, a spoon, a set of kitchen scales and a baking tray are usually enough!
Some of the recipes I teach include: chocolate chip cookies, shortbread, scones, yummy jammies, coconut crunchies, cheese straws, pizza, sweet potato muffins, gluten-free chocolate cake, and vegan biscuits. I constantly try out new recipes with my classes and enjoy the constructive feedback from my bakers!
Online Bake Shop
Welcome to Rise and Shine online shop in Cricklewood in North West London. I sell delicious homemade cookies which I hope you will love. All of my cookies are handmade using natural wholesome ingredients such as organic flour, free-range eggs, butter, great quality organic 32%-70% cocoa solids chocolate, organic palm oil free peanut butter. No junk or cutting corners. The cookies are baked and delivered super fresh to your door on the same day.
I have started with five types of biscuits on the menu as that’s something I have sort of mastered over the past 18 years. I must have baked thousands of them when I had my own playgroup and ran regular weekly baking classes for young families. With time I hope to add more products such as cakes and traybakes but for now ladies and gentlemen I give you my most delicious biscuits to go with your cuppa. Visit my Online Bake Shop.
I deliver twice a week on most Tuesdays and Fridays to Cricklewood, Willesden Green, Kilburn, West Hampstead, South Hampstead, Childs Hill, Golders Green, Hampstead, Belsize Park, St John`s Wood and Swiss Cottage. This covers the following postcodes:NW2, NW3, NW6, NW8, NW10 and NW11.
Sharing the love for simple home baking
Classes
I aim to create a warm and intimate atmosphere in my classes, where everyone feels welcome and encouraged to give everything a try. No previous baking experience is required; novices are welcome as well as those looking to expand their baking repertoire.
Please let me know if you have any food allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements. Many allergens can be avoided or substituted and my priority is to give you the best and safest experience.
I teach one-to-one or in small groups, in clients’ houses or community venues and cafes.
Community baking
Community baking classes are run at local community centres and charities in the South Hampstead and Cricklewood areas. Depending on the venue they are either free or a small contribution of £2 is charged to help cover the cost of the ingredients. Everyone is welcome. Please contact the venue directly to find out more and to reserve your place. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic booking and prior registration with the community centres' reception staff is absolutely essential.
Likewise (South Hampstead) Please note that due to the pandemic Likewise is offering limited services at the moment. Some group activities will slowly resume in July / August 2021. Please check here for updates or contact Likewise directly. community@likewise.org.uk Likewise website Ashford Place (Cricklewood) Due to the pandemic, our weekly Wednesday afternoon group is not running at the moment. Please check directly with the charity to find out when the class will be resuming. Link below. info@ashfordplace.org.uk Ashford Place website
Mini Bakers
Due to the pandemic Rise and Shine Mini Bakers classes have been cancelled. Unfortunately, because of Covid-19 uncertainties, the café where the classes were held has closed down and sold. We hope to resume the class in 2021 when it is safe to do so and once we have found a new suitable venue. Please check in for updates. We make sweet and savoury goodies such as gingerbread biscuits, pizza, cheese bread, vegan banana melties, coconut muffins, flourless chocolate cookies and many more. If you have any questions about this class, please send me an email to: hello@riseandshinebaking.co.uk
Private classes
Due to the pandemic private face-to-face classes in clients' homes are not running at the moment. We hope to resume them once lockdown restrictions are lifted and both clients and ourselves have been fully vaccinated. Please email us if you would like to be added to our mailing list and receive updates on the re-opening date. Baking in the comfort of your own kitchen? Why not? As long as you have an oven, I would be delighted to teach a small group for up to 4-5 people at your house. Both adults and children are catered for. Prices vary depending on factors such as location, number of participants and type and size of your oven (which will determine cooking time).
Please get in touch to discuss your requirements and find out more hello@riseandshinebaking.co.uk
Testimonials
Grace
Going to Agnieszka’s baking classes was a very special time for me. It’s a regular time to switch off from chores and doing things to just be with my children. I loved it. I got a lot of support from being with kind people in a relaxed place. I was very lonely at times and just being with other grown-ups helped me so much. Playgroup and baking class helped me parent better by not being so alone and getting an emotional lift from the teachers running it, other parents and nannies. Very special class.
Kate
I highly recommend Agnieszka’s baking classes without hesitation! Both my children and I always looked forward to her playgroup and cherished our time there.The classes were very well organised and we created the most delicious food from Agnieszka's very own recipes. We absolutely loved it and if you are looking to bake for wellness or just celebrate great baking this is the place for you!
Karen
Going to Agnieszka's baking playgroup was an absolute joy. My child would never want to leave as he enjoyed it so much, as did I! Agnieszka always had everything beautifully prepared and organized and the final product always tasted delicious. All the recipes were Agnieszka's own creation and she explained everything clearly and simply and always with a smile. I would recommend to anyone looking for an inspiring and uplifting baking class to head to Agnieszka!
Gulnara
My older daughter started attending Agnieszka’s baking/cooking playgroup when she was just 2 years old and really enjoyed it. She was attending it for nearly two years. She used to bring home wonderful cookies, biscuits and pizza that they made in the baking class that the rest of the family really enjoyed tasting. Agnieszka would also always provide us with the recipes that we still keep in the kitchen and occasionally use to bake at home. When my younger daughter joined the baking class we were already familiar with the setting and sent her there without any doubt. It’s a wonderful experience for kids and adults in a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.
Get it touch
To find out about Rise and Shine baking classes, please fill in the form below or email hello@riseandshinebaking.co.uk. I look forward to hearing from you.
In 2018 I compiled a book of the most popular recipes enjoyed by my young bakers and their parents over the years. The recipes are quick and easy to follow and designed to suit a toddler’s attention span as well as the busy lives that most families lead. ‘Rise and Shine: Baking with your Little Ones’ is all about sharing with others my love for simple home baking.
My ambition is to publish the book independently in the near future so stay tuned for updates.
For recipes and news on what I’m mixing up, visit my baking blog from London below and follow Rise and Shine on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Baking classes video
Bespoke baking classes in London for all levels focusing on the wellbeing benefits of baking as a group activity. Run in community venues as well as in clients' homes.
Join Rise and Shine and share the love for simple home baking! :-)